craven

[krey-vuhn]

adjective

1. cowardly; contemptibly timid; pusillanimous.

   Synonyms: timorous, fearful, dastardly

noun

1. a coward.

verb (used with object)

1. to make cowardly.

craven

/ ˈkreɪvən /

adjective

1. cowardly; mean-spirited

noun

1. a coward

Other Word Forms

• cravenly adverb
• cravenness noun
• uncraven adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of craven¹

1175–1225; Middle English cravant, cravaunde defeated < Old French craventé, past participle of cravanter to crush, overwhelm (< Vulgar Latin *crepantāre ), influenced by Middle English creaunt defeated ( recreant )

Word History and Origins

Origin of craven¹

C13 cravant, probably from Old French crevant bursting, from crever to burst, die, from Latin crepāre to burst, crack

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cry craven, to yield; capitulate; give up.

Example Sentences

Not the fact that his presidency is built on his craven desire for personal retribution instead of pursuing what’s best for the American people.

Read more on Salon

In response, the X owner called the Liberal Democrat leader a "craven coward".

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More churlish souls might attribute such stubborn determination to craven commercial interests, but something more is in play.

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He’s cornered by guards, the players who fought alongside him are dead, and he’s thrown back in with the remaining players, many of whom survived because they’re the most craven of the group.

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This year’s retreat from DEI policies is merely a continuation of that craven approach.

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Related Words

• mean-spirited www.thesaurus.com